Robert Paarlberg is a professor of political science at Wellesley College and an associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. His principal research interests are international agricultural and environmental policy. His latest book, "Starved for Science: How Biotechnology Is Being Kept Out of Africa," explains why poor African farmers are denied access to productive technologies, particularly genetically engineered seeds with improved resistance to insects and drought.

In his Food for Thought lecture, Rob discuses why, after embracing agricultural science to become well fed, those in wealthy countries are instructing Africans — on the most dubious grounds — not to do the same.

Outreach in Biotechnology's Food for Thought Lecture Series brings together internationally recognized experts to talk about the best (and worst) ways to use biotechnology for food and fuel. For more information, go to http://OregonState.edu/OrB